The Comparative Effectiveness of Cytology Testing and HPV DNA Testing Based Primary Screening Pathways within a Cervical Screening Program

The literature review highlights the challenges faced in cervical cancer screening due to inadequate technology, impacting program effectiveness globally. It emphasizes the importance of detecting cervical cancer precursors for reducing incidence and prevalence rates. The review compares two primary diagnostic methods: Pap cytology and HPV DNA testing, revealing that the HPV test is more accurate and sensitive than Pap cytology. It argues for the adoption of HPV testing in publicly-financed healthcare systems, citing its cost-effectiveness and superior performance in cervical cancer prevention efforts.